Internal Communications Specialist

Graco•Minneapolis, MN

18h•$54,300 - $95,100•Onsite

About The Position

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. This role is currently based at our Minneapolis office and will transition to our new headquarters in Dayton, MN, in 2027. The Internal Communications Specialist develops and executes communications that keep employees informed, engaged and connected to company priorities. This role serves as a key partner to stakeholders across the organization, translating business initiatives into clear, relevant and compelling employee communications. As part of the Corporate Communications team, this position is responsible for planning, creating and delivering content across internal communication channels, supporting organizational change initiatives, strengthening employee engagement and ensuring alignment with company values, culture and strategic objectives. The Internal Communications Specialist plays a critical role in enhancing the employee experience through thoughtful storytelling, effective channel management and proactive communication planning.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English or a related field.
3+ years of professional communications experience, with a strong focus on internal communications, employee communications, public relations or corporate communications.
Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills.
Strong project management and organizational abilities with the capacity to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively across functions and organizational levels.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently while managing competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to communication quality and accuracy.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent and unrestricted basis. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1, L-1, or employment-based permanent residence sponsorship). Candidates working under temporary employment authorization, including F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, or similar programs, are not eligible for this position.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting employee engagement or change management communications.
Experience managing intranet platforms, email communication systems and digital communication channels.
Familiarity with Workfront, Pardot, Knak, Adobe Experience Manager or similar communication technologies.
Experience in manufacturing, industrial or publicly traded organizations.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute internal communication plans that support business objectives, organizational initiatives and enterprise priorities.
Create communication frameworks, messaging and content plans for assigned projects and campaigns.
Partner with business stakeholders to identify communication needs and recommend effective communication approaches.
Write, edit, and produce compelling employee communications across a variety of channels and formats.
Translate complex business information into clear, engaging and audience-focused messaging.
Develop content that reinforces company culture, values and strategic priorities.
Create communication toolkits, FAQs, presentations and supporting resources for leaders and stakeholders.
Manage and maintain digital employee communication channels, including: The Village (intranet), Village Weekly (email), Corporate email communications, Digital signage and video boards, Other employee communication platforms as assigned.
Maintain editorial calendars and publishing schedules.
Ensuring communications are timely, accurate, accessible and aligned with organizational standards.
Support company-wide programs, initiatives, events and campaigns through communication planning and promotion.
Partner with Human Resources and business teams to support employee engagement, culture, recognition and change management efforts.
Help employees understand organizational priorities and changes through clear and consistent communication.
Gather feedback and insights to improve audience understanding and engagement.
Monitor internal communication performance through channel analytics and employee feedback.
Track key engagement metrics, including email open rates, intranet engagement, content consumption and participation in communication campaigns.
Identify opportunities to improve communication effectiveness, processes and employee experience.
Recommend new approaches, tools and best practices to increase engagement and reach.